Madame Curie, Potion's Mistress

Okay my lovelies, here is the long awaited ending. I hope it meets your expectations! I will leave open the possiblity of a sequel or an Epilogue, but for the time being my muse is satisfied. Read and review, and sorry for the long wait the move kicked my ass and setting up this place has taken a lot out of me!

*tear* It's tough to finish my first multi-chaptered fic. *sigh*


Conclusion


“Severus my boy! How was your little excursion?” Albus Dumbledore sat behind his wide desk, magnanimous in his posture and sweeping with his welcoming gesture. “Lemon drop?”

Severus sneered slightly and inclined his head. “No thank you, Headmaster.”

“So tell me, my dear boy. What pressing matter brings you to my office this time of night?”

It didn’t matter what time of day or night Severus was summoned or needed to see the headmaster. The old coot always seemed to be in his office or around the castle at the most opportune moments; or inopportune, depending on whom you were and what the situation was. Severus considered it to be a most meddlesome occurrence.

“Albus, I’ve recently returned from a most intriguing venture.” The Potions master steepled his fingers and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

“I’ve come to secure your assistance in a most delicate matter. If you would be so gracious as to allow me a few moments of your time, I’d like to make a proposal that will require your absolute discretion.”

Intrigued, Albus leaned forward over his desk, those merry blue eyes twinkling dangerously. With the war over, things had grown rather dull. A little excitement, even in his advanced age, was right up his alley. “Of course, Severus. You know that whatever is within my power to grant is at your disposal. What, pray tell, is this pressing matter you’ve come to me about.”

With a flippant gesture the door to Albus’ office creaked open and Hermione Granger slipped in, her head bowed as she slowly approached the headmaster’s desk.

“Great Morgana! Miss Granger, my dear girl! Do come here so I can get a look at you.”

Hermione came forward, her head still down, eyes trained on the worn floor beneath her trainers.

Albus hurried around his desk and settled to a rest in front of the young witch. With the tip of a wizened finger under her chin, the aged wizard slowly brought her teary, honey-brown eyes up to meet his own baby blues.

“My dear, Miss Granger. We thought you were lost to us.”

In a move that surprised Hermione, never mind the normally stoic Professor Snape, Albus Dumbledore surged forward and clasped the slight witch to his chest. Hermione could feel the frail frame beneath the voluminous robes the old wizard wore. There didn’t seem to be much of him left beneath them and even she had to admit that he kept the fact well hidden.

“How we’ve missed you dearly.” The choked sob broke the momentarily silence and then Hermione was also sobbing on his shoulder.

Severus rolled his eyes and harrumphed uncomfortably.

“As touching as this little reunion may be, we have business to discuss.”

Pulling back from one another, Albus took off his spectacles and wiped them clean on a section of star-spangled robe.

“Yes, of course Severus my dear boy. Excuse my momentary lapse of emotion. You mustn’t begrudge an old man the joy of seeing the brightest witch of our age return to the fold.”

Hermione smiled then, whispering softly. “I missed you too, Professor.”

A tense discussion followed, the headmaster nodding at appropriate intervals at Severus’ narration and instruction.

Hermione tried her best to follow along and finally gave up after a while. It all seemed so complicated, but even she had to admit there was a very Slytherin angle to it all. And wouldn’t Harry be surprised to see her?


--


The Daily Prophet, Special Monday Edition

This reporter has run a special edition just to bring this astounding news to our loyal readers. Hermione Granger, war heroine and purportedly missing since the botched conclusion of the Order of Merlin ceremony several years ago, has been spotted in Diagon Alley by none other than Headmaster Albus Dumbledore! In a rare quote from the enigmatic headmaster, this reporter was on hand to diligently gather all the eyewitness details!

‘Yes, I was on my way to Flourish and Blotts to pick up an order and I saw Miss Granger out of the corner of my eye. I turned to speak with her and she vanished into a nearby shop. Of course none of us have seen or heard from her since that unfortunate incident, so I followed her into the shop. It was most curious. When I went into the shop, she was nowhere to be found. I assume she Apparated the moment she entered the shop as the store owners did not see or hear her come in.’

When asked for further detail, the headmaster merely shrugged and offered this reporter a lemon drop before heading on his way.

A more perfect opportunity for reporting could never be staged, folks, as the infamous Hogwarts Potions master Severus Snape came traipsing out of Slug and Jiggers just as the headmaster continued on into Flourish and Blotts.

I intercepted the dour man and recounted the headmaster’s recollection of the sighting.

‘I am well aware of the headmaster’s observations. Now if you will excuse me, I have business to attend to.’

‘Professor Snape. Can you tell me your reaction to the supposed return of Miss Granger?’

‘Have you nothing better to do than harass the local citizenry?’

Ladies and gentlemen, you will forgive a reporter for not letting such an opportunity pass me by as I continued to intercept the man for a reaction.

‘Professor. Please, the public deserve to know what is on your mind. In light of the horrid prank she pulled on you at the Order of Merlin celebration, what will you do when you meet Miss Granger face to face?’

‘If I tell you, will you be gone from my presence?’

‘One statement is all I ask, Professor. If you please.’

The dark wizard turned to face me folks, and if I hadn’t known he was on the side of light during the war I would have been frightened for the look he gave me.

‘When I see Miss Granger, she better be prepared for what she has coming to her. I have had more than ample time to think of ways that will make her regret showing her face in this part of the world ever again.’

‘Is that a threat on her person, Professor?’

‘Make of it what you will. The Fates do not allow such an asinine stunt to go unpunished.’

In a swirl of black robes, the forbidding man swept from my presence, presumably to return to said duties.

As these exciting events unfold, you can be assured this reporter will keep you all abreast of the latest news concerning the whereabouts of Miss Granger and the reaction of one Severus Snape.

News of the upcoming annual ball celebrating the fall of the Dark Lord continued on page 2

~Rita Skeeter, contributing journalist and editor, The Daily Prophet~

Harry Potter slammed the newspaper down on the table at Godric’s Hollow.

“What the hell?”

Ginny spooned food into the baby’s mouth and just shook her head. “Who knows, love? She had her reasons for leaving I’m sure.”

“Yeah, but I’m her best friend!”

“Correction, you were her best friend. She apparently doesn’t see you that way, especially after the stunt she pulled on Professor Snape in front of the entire wizarding elite.”

“Ginny, how can you say that? You know Hermione would never do anything like that! Besides that, what’s with Snape getting away with threatening her on the front page of the Prophet? Shouldn’t he be arrested or something? I should march over there right now and-”

“And what? Abuse your power as an Auror? He didn’t actually say what he was going to do to her. Besides, you’re the only one who seems to think Hermione’s innocent, Harry. She pretty much sealed her own fate when she up and disappeared. That just spells guilty to me.”

Harry shoved the paper across the table with both hands before he levitated it into the fire.

“Well, I’ll tell you one thing Ginny Potter. I will never believe that a friend of mine could do anything like that to another human being, even if it was the Greasy Git. If it’s the last thing I do I’m going to find her and get to the bottom of this, and I’ll be damned if I let Snape hurt her in any way!”

Sniffing delicately, Ginny ignored her husband and continued to coo and make faces at their baby boy.


--

The annual wizarding ball to celebrate the fall of the Dark Lord was held at the Ministry on a clear night, cold and crisp but still invigorating. It seemed as if the entire wizarding world had turned out for the event and everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves. The Ministry had really outdone themselves this year. The Hors d'œuvres were magnificent and the elf-made wine was flowing freely.

Albus Dumbledore sat on stage amongst the leaders of wizarding society. Slightly to his right and back a row was Severus Snape in all his velvet-lined robed finery; black of course.

He leaned forward and whispered to Dumbledore. “Albus, do you think this is going to work? It seems a bit simplistic. I think we should have gone with my plan.”

The old wizard merely smiled and twinkled, speaking out of the side of his mouth without seeming to do so. “Trust me, Severus. When have you known one of my plans to fail?”

Snape snorted softly, not deeming to answer the loaded question.

Sitting back to wait until the right moment, Snape folded his hands and followed Dumbledore’s lead.

So the evening went, patrons imbibing the free-flowing wine and the smuggled Firewhiskey. Speeches were held, honorary titles were bestowed and heads of state were introduced. Visiting dignitaries were regaled and jokes were cracked. The dancing soon followed and the now-inebriated crowd was celebrating freely, raucous laughter and bawdy groping plain to every eye amongst the revelers.

Severus was extremely impatient at this point and he tapped Albus on the shoulder a bit too hard.

“Albus….” he hissed with irritation.

“Not long now, Severus,” twinkled Dumbledore with amusement.

Heaving a weary sigh, Snape sat back once more into his chair which was starting to cause the velvet to stick to his back in a most irritating manner. A murmur running through the crowd and sudden halt of the music and dancing caused Severus to sit up sharply and take notice.

Hermione had emerged from backstage and now taken her place on the podium. How she had managed to slip past the three rows of dignitaries, heads of state and other guests was beyond him, but he figured Albus had something to do with it.

Every head in the hall was trained on the witch with shining auburn curls hanging in loose waves, flowing down her shoulders and framing a beautiful, but sad face.

You could have heard a miniature wand drop in the deathly silence before she spoke.

“I’ve come here tonight to make amends,” she started, sounding a bit unsure, her voice growing stronger as she continued.

“I’ve been gone a long time, and I have caused many of you unthinkable pain with my disappearance and failure to communicate. For that, I am truly sorry.”

Snape’s eyes wandered from the dais to where Potter, Weasley and their little crowd of hangers-on stood with their mouths open. He smirked, pleased to at last have one up on the annoying Boy-Who-Bloody-Lived. It was almost time for him to act. This was going to be a gamble, but if Dumbledore was correct, it would pay off, thus flushing out the true culprit of that fateful day and righting a wrong that was long-overdue for justice.

He had missed a small part of what she had said, but then his attention trained on his lover once more.

“….and in retrospect, I am sorry to my best friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. You always stood by me and I abandoned you when I should have trusted you to support me during a difficult time. If anyone has any questions I will be here to answer them. I apologize for interrupting the celebration.”

“Severus! Now!”

Albus’ urging caused him to leap dramatically from his chair and in a flash, Hermione was in his grasp under the blazing spotlight on the dais. He had one hand on the front of her throat, the other pointing his wand at the other side of her neck. Severus had Accio’d her wand and thrown it far from them prior to taking hold of her neck. Unable to use the Sonorous, he resorted to using his booming teacher’s voice to fill the great hall.

“Miss Granger, how lovely to see you once again!”

Hermione struggled appropriately, forcing down the urge to laugh hysterically. She knew she should have at least pretended to be more afraid of him but his burgeoning erection in her backside made it difficult to concentrate.

“Let go of me you monster!” she screeched.

As if awakening from a daze, more than a hundred witches and wizards had their wands trained at the pair on center stage.

“Let her go!” shouted Potter.

Predictable, thought Snape. Ever the Gryffindor racing to the rescue, plowing on ahead without thinking of the consequences.

Severus raised a mocking eyebrow in response.

“Oh, do tell Mister Potter. What do you plan to do if I do not?”

The furious Auror had shoved his way to the front of the crowd and on to the stage. The world held its breath as the two old enemies faced off.

“I always knew you were rotten, Snape!” he spat, green eyes sparking fury.

“You’re one to talk, Potter!” Snape roared back, deafening Hermione’s eardrums in the process.

She really had to tell him to place a Muffliato around her the next time he chose to screech at someone while right next to her.

“This little bitch has come back from the dead to offer pathetic apologies to you lot, when the one she should have been on her knees before, begging forgiveness, is ME!”

Digging his wand into her throat just a bit harder for effect, Severus snarled quite convincingly at the assembled.

“And if you don’t think I won’t hex the little swot with an Unforgiveable right here in front all of you, try me! I dare you, Potter. Where is that Gryffindor bravery now? You owe me! You all owe me for saving your pathetic little lives time and time again and my repayment is humiliation at what should have been the crowning achievement of my thankless career as spy and soldier for the Light. Well fuck all of you!”

Raising his wand and opening his mouth as if to strike, the sudden crush of bodies towards the pair was stopped by a Sonorous.

“Don’t do it, it was me!”

Frozen to their spot, hundreds of eyes peered in the direction of the declaration.

Ronald Weasley stepped from his hiding place behind a pillar and pushed his way through the crowd.

He hopped up onstage and stood between Snape and Harry, head hanging dejectedly. He tossed his wand onto the floor and whispered softly. “It wasn’t her. It was me. I did it. I set up the prank, not Hermione, and I let her take the blame for it.”

Hermione’s eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. It was Ron?

“Ron? It was you all along?” Harry carefully trained his wand on his friend, keeping an eye on Snape who had by now dropped his wand and pushed the lithe witch away from him a few steps. Motioning to Hermione, he urged her to join him and was confused when she remained rooted next to Snape.

Ron muttered and had to be asked twice to repeat himself. “I said yes!” he cried out, finally turning in a circle to face the room. “Yes, I admit it! I planned the prank that day. I hated that stupid, arrogant prat for always making our lives a living hell. I hated the way he looked so smug down his nose, like he was too good for everyone. And you, Harry, he hated you! Don’t you see? He hated you! He deserved it!”

Harry’s face was a mixture of shock and fury. His voice was deadly calm as he spoke to his former best mate. “Regardless of how you felt about Snape, you let Hermione take the blame! Why did you do that?”

Ron mumbled again before speaking up when Harry poked him in the ribs with his wand.

“She broke up with me. She deserved it too. The both of them. There, I said it. Are you happy?”

Harry simply shook his head and bound Ron’s behind his back and picked up his wand, slipping it into his robes. The confused hall gasped again, causing Harry to turn his head to the sight of Hermione snogging his former Potions professor with a passion that contradicted the hatred that had been pouring from the man moments earlier. He wasn’t born yesterday, and immediately suspected there was much more to the story when a madly twinkling Dumbledore came up behind the passionate couple and clapped a hand on either shoulder, spouting a merry, “Well done, both of you!”

The Minister of Magic took control of the situation and ended the celebration, as it had almost been time to end the evening anyway.


--


The Daily Prophet, Special Edition

This special Wednesday edition of the Prophet is brought to you by Weasley’s Wizarding Wheeze’s, the one and only joke shop for all your magical needs!

In a move that stunned the wizarding world, Ronald Bilius Weasley has admitted to the plot behind Hogwarts Potions master, Severus Snape’s humiliation at the Order of Merlin award ceremony.

Long believed to be the work of Hermione Granger, it turns out that in an act of misplaced bravery Miss Granger took the fall for the incident and instead exiled herself to France. In her absence Miss Granger has successfully marketed her brilliance and turned herself into an International Potions Mistress, the long renowned and formerly unknown Madame Curie, who has rocked the world with her potions innovations and charms research.

As evidenced at the annual ball celebrating the fall of Voldemort, the clever Albus Dumbledore orchestrated an attempt on Miss Granger’s life to flush out the nefarious Weasley, who is now set to stand trial for other acts of treason he is purported to have been involved in including spying for the Dark Lord, assassination attempts on the Minister for Magic and deliberate sabotage of a war hero’s reputation. It is unknown whether Severus Snape will be contacting his barrister in regards to filing for damages.

The wizarding world celebrates the return of Miss Granger and wishes her and Professor Snape all the best success in their new life together at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This is your new Prophet reporter, Neville Longbottom, signing out.

More on the incarceration of Rita Skeeter for allegedly consorting with Ronald Weasley on page 2

Severus Snape laid down the paper and emptied the last bit of tea down his throat, sighing with satisfaction. He looked down, amused at the witch between his legs sucking him so intimately while he dined.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked at her. “Enjoying your breakfast, dear?” he rumbled.

“Mmmm hmmmm!” Hermione nodded her head as enthusiastically as possible considering she had his huge cock in her mouth, sucking it with gusto. A few more sucks and a squeeze to his ball sac had Snape groaning with completion as he emptied himself down her throat.

“Gods, what a way to start the day,” he sighed, pulling his love into his lap.

“I love you too Severus Snape,” she grinned, nuzzling his big conch with her own pert nose. She lazily traced the crinkles at the corner of his eyes, down his face to his jaw line and laughed when he captured the tip of her finger in his mouth.

“You don’t have to teach anymore, you know, if you don’t want to. I am a multi-million Galleonaire. You could go into business with me and open your own research facility or apothecary.”

He suckled her finger, deep in thought. “You know, I think that is a wonderful idea, my dear. What do you think Albus’ reaction will be when I present him with my resignation right before the start of the new term?”

“Oh, you are a wicked man, Severus Snape!” she laughed, wrapping her arms around him for a luxurious kiss.

When she was thoroughly snogged, she leaned back and studied her beau intently.

“What is it, love?” Severus asked, suddenly worried by that look in her eyes. He desperately wanted to read her mind but refrained out of respect. If she wanted to tell him, she would.

As it was, she did. “What would your reaction be if I told you I was pregnant?” She bit her lip in that adorable way he loved.

“Pregnant? You mean, you… and me… and…” at a loss for words, he pointed to her belly.

She nodded her head and relaxed visibly when a rare smile graced his features.

“I’d ask you what sort of wedding you’d like to have, and where you’d like to live. We’re going to need lots of room for our children to run around.”

“Children? As in, you want more than one?”

“As many as you’ll give me, love,” he whispered, pulling her in for another kiss.

“I love you, Severus Snape.”

“And I, you, Hermione.”

He kissed her tenderly, his hand over hers covering her belly and their child growing within.

Life was good, and was about to get a whole lot better.

Fin.


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